Monthly Archives: May 2012

Lookielookielookie – it’s the Chicago skyline! I love visiting Chicago and feel a thrill of excitement every time the skyline comes into view. I recognize this street… And I recognize those doors… We’re here! We attend a clinic at VanderCook College of Music every year –…

It’s 6:00am on a Friday morning and instead of snuggling in my nice warm waterbed ignoring the alarm like any normal Friday morning, I’m sitting on a bus to Chicago trying to ignore the middle school band students behind me. Why you ask? Because I’m crazy, but that’s beside the…

I’ve become a compulsive armpit sniffer, and it’s all Rikki’s fault. Let me start at the very beginning so you can understand how this compulsion developed… Ever since I was old enough to know what B.O. was I used antiperspirant so I wouldn’t be stinky. As far as I…

Now that warm weather has finally arrived in Wisconsin we’re gearing up for some wonderful water play this summer. Children love playing in water; even the most popular toys can’t compete to the joys water brings. Water is cheap, easily available and leaves things cleaner than they started. Plus, water…

The other day I was shaving my legs in the shower when my mind wandered to the very first time I shaved my legs. Some people sing in the shower, I have random stuff pop into my head. I was about 13 years old, had noticed that other girls my…

“Once Upon a Time…” There’s just something magical about those words, whether they’re read from a book or coming from the imagination. Reading and storytelling play an important role in children’s language development. All children, from infants to elementary age students benefit from being read to and being told stories.…

Spoiler alert! If you’re the mother of a child enrolled in my child care program you may want to close the window now and come back after you open your Mother’s Day gift. I’m just sayin’… Everyone else keep reading to see the fantastic flower pots we painted for Mother’s…

Children of all ages love to play in sand – take this crash course in sandbox basics and get ready for a summer full of fun! Sandbox Safety Set up some ground beforehand so children know what behavior is expected in the sandbox. Rules may include: Sand should never…

“Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say It’s all right…” ~George Harrison, the Beatles Spring is here and along with it comes the sun! It’s hard to believe that something that makes us feel so good can be harmful, but we know that without protection the…

As you may or may not know, back in January I applied to participate in the USDA’s Wellness Grant to improve the health of children in child care programs through better nutrition and increased physical activity. Grant recipients were able to choose one of three kits to support their quality…